Philippines VP Sara Duterte faces impeachment trial as witnesses testify

Vice President Sara Duterte is on trial for a fourth impeachment complaint alleging misuse of PHP 625 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, as well as threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The prosecution’s pre‑trial brief listed eight witnesses, including Abe Andres, a court sheriff who says Duterte punched him in 2011 while enforcing a demolition order, and Mary Grace Piattos, a name identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority as non‑existent but cited as a supposed recipient of the confidential funds.

Defense counsel maintains the witness list is the prosecution’s prerogative and says they are prepared to cross‑examine any presented witnesses. The trial proceedings are scheduled to begin formally on July 6 after the Senate’s pre‑trial sessions conclude.